Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg , Gothenburg , Sweden.
Objective. The aim was to investigate fluoride (F) retention in
plaque, saliva and pH drop in plaque using high-F toothpaste (5000 ppm
F) or standard toothpaste (1450 ppm F) twice a day or 3-times a day. A
method using the toothpaste as a 'lotion' and massaging the buccal
surfaces with the fingertip was also evaluated. Materials and methods.
The investigation had a randomized, single-blinded, cross-over design
and 16 subjects participated in six brushing regimes: (1) 5000 ppm F;
twice a day, (2) 5000 ppm; 3-times/day, (3) 5000 ppm; twice a day, plus
the 'massage' method once a day, (4) 1450 ppm F; twice a day, (5) 1450
ppm; 3-times/day and (6) 1450 ppm; twice a day, plus the 'massage'
method once a day. The outcome measure was F retention in plaque, saliva
and the plaque-pH change after a sucrose rinse. Results. The highest F
concentration was found using high-F toothpaste (No 1-3) and differed
significantly from those with 1450 ppm (No 4-6). Brushing with high-F
toothpaste 3-times a day (No 2) resulted in a 3.6-times higher F saliva
value compared with standard toothpaste twice a day (No 4) (p <
0.001). Increasing the frequency of application, from twice to 3-times a
day, increased the F retention in plaque significantly when the two
methods for application 3-times a day were pooled (p < 0.05).
Brushing with 5000 and 1450 ppm toothpastes twice a day plus the
'massage' once a day resulted in the same F concentration in saliva and
plaque as brushing 3-times a day with the same paste. Conclusion. A
third application of toothpaste is increasing the F retention and
toothpaste as a 'lotion' and massaging the buccal surfaces with the
fingertip may be a simple and inexpensive way of delivering F a third
time during the day.